IBCC: Two Decades of Protecting the Boreal Forest by Supporting Indigenous-led Conservation

Over time, the critical mass of dozens of land use plans and protected area initiatives emerging across the Boreal Forest has leveraged a national focus on Indigenous Protected Areas, managed by Indigenous Guardians. This effort has ripened into a new, 21st Century approach to conservation of biodiversity, an Indigenous-led conservation system that is rapidly advancing across Canada.

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Celebrating a Milestone: Indigenous Leaders Take Over Large Conservation Campaign

ILI is taking the helm of the International Boreal Conservation Campaign and absorbing IBCC’s remaining staff, assets, and relationships with funders. This milestone marks one of the first times a longstanding, successful environmental campaign has been transferred to Indigenous leadership.

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Boreal Forest Offers Hope in the Face of Climate & Biodiversity Crises

Some of the world’s largest land-based stores of carbon are found in the Boreal Forest of North America. Many projects are underway that will increase land protections in the Boreal Forest—conserving both the carbon stores as well as the rich ecological values.

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It’s About Relationships: Boreal Plants, Biodiversity, and Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous Peoples have been in relationship with the plants and animals of the Boreal Forest in Canada for thousands of years – since before time was recorded, as is often said. These relationships are at the center of Indigenous stewardship and the reason the boreal remains the largest intact forest left on the planet.

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Canada Invests $340 Million in Indigenous-led Conservation and Stewardship

“This is the largest federal investment in Indigenous-led stewardship to date, and we welcome the Government of Canada’s commitment to partnering with Indigenous Nations on conservation and stewardship,” said Valérie Courtois, the Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative.

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Canada Makes Historic Investment in Conservation, Recognizes Indigenous Stewardship

Budget 2021 will help ensure the Boreal Forest continues to protect biodiversity and the climate for generations to come. It makes new investments in nature conservation and singles out the role of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Guardians programs in achieving international targets.

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Keeping Track of These Boreal Nomads Is Notoriously Difficult

Boldly yet delicately colored in swaths of yellow, salmon, frost white, or raspberry, the beauty of winter finches is a welcomed sight to what is often a pallid landscape across the northern tier of the United States. We are transfixed by their annual movements, particularly their incredible irruptions outside of their expected ranges, in search of food. There is no question about it, winter finches are both beautiful and wild. It is their very essence.

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Top 5 Breakthroughs in Conserving the Boreal Forest in 2020

Amid the challenges presented by COVID-19, several bright spots emerged. Across the Boreal Forest, Indigenous Nations and their allies made sweeping gains in sustaining the lands, waters and natural systems we all depend on.

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Nature-Based Climate Solutions Help Birds

Conserving intact forests not only pulls carbon from the air, it also sustains habitat for birds and other wildlife we love. Many Indigenous Nations are leading the way with nature-based climate solutions by conserving large healthy lands rich in bird nesting grounds.

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Hill Times: To Address Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss, Support Indigenous-led Conservation

Indigenous Nations are stepping up, working to create new protected areas and sustain biodiversity. Indigenous Nations can help Canada become a global leader in conservation and much more. Indigenous-led conservation offers positive, transformative change— for the land, communities and regional economies.

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National Leaders Sign a Much-Needed Pledge for Birds & Nature

Leadership that makes bold commitments to deal with the loss of birds and other biodiversity at the scale needed—like that shown by Canada and other countries and by Indigenous governments—is vital if we are to ensure a healthy and livable planet thriving with birds, wildlife, plants and people.

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Indigenous & Industry Leaders Support Economic Opportunities that Work for Nature

“Most Canadians agree Indigenous-led conservation is good for the economy. They see it as an important path forward. The pandemic has caused painful disruption, but it is also an opportunity to make positive change. And many businesses are committed to making change by supporting Indigenous leadership on the land,” said JP Gladu.

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